Campaigners want more HELP for domestic workers

Around half of the 14,000 domestic migrant workers legally entering the UK each year are cast into "immigration limbo" because their passports have been taken by their employers, says a report by the Kalayaan migrant domestic workers support group.

Migrant workers' rights: the passport issue highlights the fact that the removal of passports turns domestic work into a form of forced labour. Kalayaan is campaigning for the withholding of passports by employers to be a criminal offence.

The organisation points out that because workers are left without documents to prove their immigration status, abusive employers "exploit this fear to enforce harsh working conditions, long hours and other forms of mistreatment."

For example, its survey finds that 98% of domestic migrant workers were paid under £200 per month; more than four-fifths (83%) were locked in or not allowed to leave the house; 69% were physically abused; and nine per cent were sexually abused.

Kalayaan wants official recognition of the problem - from employers and unions, as well as the police, Home Office, embassies and migrant groups - says that legal changes have been undermined by employers withholding passports.

The report is available from Kalayaan, St Francis Centre, 13 Hippodrome Place, London W11 4SF; e-mail: [email protected]